Veganism, a dietary trend driven by celebrities, has ‘fared’, as sandwich retailer Pret A Manger has decided to close nearly all of its meat-free Veggie Pret locations.
In 2016, the first Veggie Pret launched in Soho, London, after a successful trial.
The company then launched ten more stores and acquired its competitor Eat in order to convert its locations into vegetarian and vegan-exclusive locations.
However, plans were derailed when the epidemic and lockdowns stopped customers from purchasing lunch at the business.
The first totally vegetarian Veggie Pret launched in Soho, London in 2016 after a successful trial.
Celebrities such as pop singer Ellie Goulding, pictured, who has spoken about her plant-based diet contributed to veganism’s popularity.
According to The Sun, sales dropped 75% during Covid restrictions, with big cities and airports taking the longest to recover after restrictions were withdrawn.
Now, managers are either closing the vegetable locations or transforming them into normal Prets, where lobster sandwiches and chicken caesar baguettes are bestsellers.
There are currently only two Veggie Prets left, both in London. On the menu are items such as “Breakfast Egg and Avocado,” “Rainbow Flatbread,” and “Bircher Muesli Bowl.”
Pret stated, “More of our customers are choosing veggie options, but many may not identify as full-time vegetarians, therefore we will continue to provide a majority meat-free and vegan menu in all of our locations.”
On the Veggie Pret menu, there are items such as “Meatless Meatball Protein Pot,” “Rainbow Flatbread,” and “Bircher Muesli Bowl.”
They said, “Our remaining Veggie Prets will continue to explore new vegan and vegetarian options for our original Prets.”
Veganism’s global popularity was influenced by artists like pop singer Ellie Goulding, who openly advocated for a plant-based diet.
Alice Pilkington, a food and beverage analyst at Mintel, stated, “The tremendous rise achieved by meat alternatives has slowed in 2022, as the Covid boost has been gone and the income squeeze has made the higher price of these products more of a barrier.”